Charles Joseph Heit

Great Falls radio and TV broadcaster Charlie Heit passed away February 17, 2021, from natural causes. Charles Joseph Heit was born to Ralph and Irene Heit on December 10, 1950, in Durand, Wisconsin. He grew up on a dairy farm. Charlie graduated from high school in 1968. One classmate said he was the funniest guy in their class. After graduating, Charlie attended UW Madison for one year before being drafted into the Army. Charlie served his country from 1970-1971 as a combat medic in Vietnam. Being a conscientious objector, Charlie went into enemy fire without a weapon to save wounded soldiers. He received the bronze star and a second commendation for his bravery. Many years later, Charlie proudly served in the Montana Army National Guard and Montana Air National Guard in public affairs. He retired as a Master Sergeant. After working as a videographer at Malmstrom Air Force Base Charlie retired in 2010. After returning from Vietnam, Charlie started his Radio/TV career by attending Brown Institute for Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN. Charlie's radio career took him to Hardin, MT and New Ulm, MN (where he grew to love polka music much to our chagrin) before settling in Great Falls in 1982. He was hired at KEIN and eventually became part of the popular morning team Hutch and Heit. Some years later Dave Wilson hired Charlie for 560 KMON. He also worked part time at 94.5 KMON and 92.9 KLFM. Eventually Charlie moved to KFBB and became their weatherman. In 2008 Charlie was awarded TV Weatherman of the Year from the Montana Broadcasters Association. Charlie married Cheri Sem in 1975. They were blessed with their son Adam. They later divorced. Charlie met his soulmate Missy Elmore while they were both working at KEIN. They were married July 29,1988. Charlie took his sons Josh and Adam on many adventures including an ill-fated camping trip in a Rambler. It included vomiting and a fishhook in his hand. Charlie liked all kinds of music, but his heart was in country music. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of it. On a nice day you could find Charlie sitting outside listening to the radio he bought in high school which was held together with rubber bands. Charlie loved to garden and work in his yard. He fed many a woodland creature. His grandson said nature lives in our yard. He was always "putzing around" with some project. Charlie enjoyed antiques, history, very plain food, and a glass of scotch. His bonfires were legendary. He was a lifelong Minnesota Twins and Green Bay Packers fan. Charlie loved to laugh, and he never took himself too seriously. Some of our favorite memories are of Charlie laughing until he cried. Charlie loved his grandkids and they always looked forward to his visits, even when he made them watch the entire “Ten Commandments” movie every Easter. Grandpa Charlie always showed up with a can of Pringles and a couple of dollars for each kid. Charles leaves behind his wife, Missy (Michelle); sons, Adam (Hazel) Heit of Billings, MT and Josh (Cami) Elmore of Idaho Falls, ID; granddaughter, Kinsley Heit; grandsons, Ethan and Maxwell Elmore; siblings, Ed (Dixie) Heit and Lorraine Koller of River Falls, WI Darlene (Ron) Huppert of Arkansaw, WI and Jim (Lolly) Heit of Blaine, MN. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don Heit; brother in-law, Cletus Koller; and nephew, Joseph Huppert. Our beloved Charlie Heit will be deeply missed by family and friends. Humble, professional, hilarious, and always cheerful are just a few adjectives used to describe him. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. It’s Goodbye Time, my love. Can't wait to see you again and have you say, “Hello Darlin.”